How Long Should A “Good Night’s Sleep” Be?

When it comes to your children, giving them a nice bed where they can turn in for the night sounds like an ideal way to ensure they get a good night’s sleep. Many experts agree that an organized room with a great bed – like maybe a cool bunk bed with stairs or a unique storage bed – makes a child feel even more secure and relaxed, and it’s a great way to get them sleep comfortably.

Still, while the right kids furniture may better prepare them for rest, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are getting enough rest; and, while Bolton Furniture can help with the right bed and the right style for the space it occupies, there is the lingering question about how much sleep a child really needs. So, how long should a “good night’s sleep” be? It’s still up for debate.

What Are the Recommended Sleep Times for Young Children?

Most people begin their research by checking out the National Sleep Foundation’s recommended guidelines: infants, ages 3-11 months, should sleep around 9-12 hours; toddlers, ranging from 1-3 years, should get 12-14 hours every night; and preschoolers between the ages of 3 and 5 years of ages require around 11-13 hours each night. Of course, then you have your school age children (6-13 years) and teenagers (approximately 14-17 years of age), who need 9-11 hours and 8-10 hours, respectively. It’s interesting how the expansive the recommended ranges of sleep run: three hours of leeway in each age group!

Finding the Magic Number for Your Child

Much like the time a parent spends with their child, the amount of sleep a child needs is less about quantity than quality. If a child is sleeping soundly, is passing naturally through all the sleep cycles, is within their three-hour recommended sleep window, and does not wake up tired, then you can assume they are getting enough rest. Achieving that, however, isn’t always that easy.

Quality of sleep is not just a matter of turning out the light and having your child lay down and close their eyes. A doctor-reviewed article by Salynne Boyles backs this up. It says that people who make their beds every day, sleep on clean sheets (washing them once a week), and who keep their sleep environment in great shape, sleep better. Essentially, this means that kids who are happy with their rooms and those who keep them uncluttered are more likely to get a better night’s rest. In these cases, the right children’s furniture or youth furniture can make a big difference.

When a child likes their room and there is plenty of storage, it’s easier to keep their room clean. Loft beds and storage beds work great for organization; and, opting for a bunk bed over two individual beds that occupy more floor space can free up more room for both play and other children’s furniture.

Aside from the physical set up and organizational aspects of the room, there are some additional factors that may affect quality of sleep. It is recommended by experts that sleeping areas be kept cool and dark, that televisions stay out of the bedroom, and all electronic devices are shut down at least an hour before bedtime. You will also want to have your kids avoid caffeine, as well as cut out meals or snacks right before bedtime.

A Good Night’s Sleep Comes Down to This

When it comes right down to it, by creating the right environment for sleep, giving your kids and electronic “curfew” an hour before bedtime, and avoiding snacks before turning in will help you find the magic number for your child. If they wake up tired, they need more sleep. That’s the bottom line. Keeping a chart can help, and if you want to get their room organized with some great kids furniture, then Bolton Furniture is the place to find everything you need.